Massage table



April 1Q, 1951 Filed June 13, 1947 K. TAMMEN MASSAGE TABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. KATHLEEN TAMMEN ATTORNEY April 10, 1951 K. TAMMEN MASSAGE TABLE Filed June 13, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 KATHLEEN TAMMEN 75.? is a ATTORNEY Apz il M), 1951 TAMMEN 2,548,4Q

MASSAGE TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 13, 1947 INVENTOR' KATHLEEN TAMMEN Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MASSAGE TABLE Kathleen Tammem'Tucson, Ariz.

Application June 13, 1947, Serial No.754,316

6. Claims. 1

This invention relates to health devices and more particularly to a table for exercising and massaging various parts of the body.

Numerous types of devices have been employed for giving proper treatment-to-various partsof the human body, however, they have not been found completely satisfactory or practical for many reasons.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus for treating the ankles, legs, thighs, hips, back, shoulders, and neck of an individual.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevationalview of a massage table illustrating one embodimentofthe present invention;

'Fig. 2, a top plan view of the massage table illustrated in .Fig. 1, on a somewhat reduced scale;

Fig. 3, a front perspective view thereof, .01). a still further reduced scale;

Fig. 4, a side elevational view, on. an enlarged scale, of the mechanism for producing movement of a cushion intended to support the shoulder and back of the user,,with the parts. in neutralor inoperative position;

Fig. 5, a side elevational View, similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the parts in an operative position;

Fig. 6, a perspective view, also on an enlarged scale, of the motion producing yoke;

Fig. '7, a fragmentary perspective view, on.a still further enlarged scale, of one of the control blocks, partsbeing broken. away to illustrate the locking means for securing the block inzadjusted position; and

Fig. 8, a front elevational viewof the massage table, on a scale similar to that of Fig. 1.

With continued reference to the drawings, the invention comprises a massage -table*mounted upon a horizontally disposed lower frame formed from angle iron members and substantially rectangular in shape. Preferably this frame is supported upon legs II and rollers l2 are also provided, raisable and lowerable for supporting the device which may thus readily be moved about, from place to place. This lower frame is further provided with upright, members 13, horizontally disposed upper longitudinal. members l4 and intermediate longitudinal members I5 extending from the front end ofthe device to a pair of intermediate uprightmembers.

A motor I6 is mounted upon the frame I0. and

2 this motor, through a belt drive orthe like I 1, transmits power to a pulley l8 secured upon .a transversely disposed shaft l9journaledin suitable bearings supported within the framework ofrthe device. A second pulley, not shown, is secured to the shaft l9 and. through va :belt .20 and pulleyjZl, power :is transmitted to a second transversely journaled' shaft: 22. An eccentric 23 is mounted upon the :shaft.22 .and by. means. of a connecting rod 24 oscillatorymotion is impartedto a yokezmember 21. pivotally mounted as indicatedlat 1.28 between vertically. disposed brackets which are mounted at eachsideofthe frame between the .upper and intermediate longitudinal members. l4 and- I5, .as illustrated more particularly inFigpB of the drawings. Preferably the yoke 21 is provided witha vertically dis- :posed bracet32 positioned intermediate :the ex-- tremities thereof and a yokearm 26. is wfixedly secured to the brace 32 by .anywsuitable-means such as welding, or the like, the upper extremity of the connecting rod 24 being pivotally connected .to the yoke arm adjacent the freeextremity thereof, as indicated at 25.

The yoke 27 comprises a substantially rectangular frame and includes upperand lower members-29 and 30, respectively, between-which the brace 32 is mounted. The yoke 21 is further provided with a plurality of guide rods 3| -'disposed vertically in spaced relation adjacent each end thereof. In the-embodiment of the invention disclosed, four (4) of such guide rods havebeen illustrated, two'of them being located-on each side of the brace 32 which is preferably positioned substantially centrally of the length of the yoke "21.

Each ofthe guide rods3l is provided with a plurality of axially aligned spaced depressions or sockets 33 for the selective reception of a ball which is normally urged into a socket by means of a coil spring, 35, or the like. a screw-threaded plug36 having a wrench socket Slbeing provided whereby the spring pressure exerted upon the ball maybe adjusted. This spring-pressed ball serves .to secure an adjustable control block 40' in position ,upon a guide rod 3|, for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter, it beingunderstood that the controlblocks are vertically adjustable upon the guide rods and that a separate control block is provided for each rod.

To provide adequate lubrication for control blocks, guide rods and spring-pressed balls; there i prov-ided an oil channel 38 havinga fitting 39 in the extremitythereof, whereby oil-may be supof each connecting rod 45 is yieldably secured to a substantially vertically depending arm 47, preferably reinforced by an angularly disposed bracket 48. Cushion members 49 are mounted upon the rod 45, one on each side of the arm 41, and are confined against the faces of the arm by means of suitable nut 58 threadedly engaged with the complementarily threaded extremity of said rod. Each connecting rod 45 extends ,through a suitable aperture (not shown) in the :arm 41 to which the rod is attached and thus the angular relationship between connecting rod and iarm may be varied in accordance with the position of the control block without any necessity for a universal joint or similar connection. Oscillation of the yoke 21 by the connecting rod 24 and eccentric 23, takes place about a horizontal axis -transverse to the device and imparts a similar oscillatory motion to the control blocks 40 each of which, through the oscillation thereof, imparts a reciprocating motion to the connecting rod 45 associated therewith.

. As is particularly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the central or neutral position of each control block is in horizontal alignment with the pivotal mounting 28 of the yoke 21, the pivotal points 4! of the control blocks being disclosed as in transverse alignment with the pivotal mount- ;ing 28. Thus, when in this position, oscillation of yoke and control blocks will impart no motion to the connectin rods 45. When a control block is moved to the uppermost position disclosed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, oscillation of the yoke will result in reciprocation of the control block connecting rod to the positions illustrated'in dotted lines. Where the control block to be moved to the intermediate position between that shown in Fig. 5 and the neutral position of Fig. 4:, a lesser degree of reciprocatory motion would be imparted to the control block connecting rod. Since upper and lower positions are provided for each control block, that is, both above and below the neutral position, it will be obvious that any control block adjusted to a position below neutral will impart an opposite reciprocatory motion to its associated connecting rod with respect to the motion im parted by control blocks adjusted to a position above neutral.

. A knob 51 may be provided on the extremity of each control lever 46 to permit ready adjustment of each control block 40 on its associated guide rod 3!, it being understood that, as previously stated, the degree of elevation or depression of suchknobs will control the degree of motion or length of stroke imparted to the control block connecting rods-45 as well as the related direction of movement thereof.

The massage table per se comprises a plurality of pairs of pads or cushions 52, 53 and 54 for supporting, respectively, the back and shoulders, the hips, and the legs. Each cushion of these pairs of cushions is supported upon an appropriate frame, formed from suitable material such as angle iron, or the like. .The cushions 52, which 4. are intended to support the back and shoulders are supported upon frames 55 which are pivotally mounted within the lower frame ID by means of links 58 having pivotal connection to the opposed intermediate longitudinal members l5. Similarly, the cushion 53 which are intended to support the hips and are on a higher horizontal level than the cushions 52, are supported upon frames 56 which are pivotally mounted within the lower frame 10 by means of links 59 having pivotal connection with ears 60 or the like formed integrally with or otherwise rigidly secured to opposed pairs of upright members l3. Each of the frames 55 and 56, there being four such frame disclosed, has an arm 4'! and bracket 48 fixedly secured therebeneath and an associated control block connecting arm 45 is attached to each arm 41, as has been previously described in detail, adjacent the lower extremity thereof. Thus, oscillation of a control block will impart reciprocatory motion to one of these frames and the cushion supported thereon dependent upon the adjustment of the control levers 46. One such adjustment, as well as the relationship between control levers and cushions, has been particularly illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings Where the cushion supporting the left shoulder and the cushion supporting the right shoulder are adjusted for movement at maximum stroke in opposite directions while the cushion supporting the left hip is adjusted for movement at a maximum stroke in coordination with the right shoulder and the cushion supporting the right hip is adjusted for movement at a maximum stroke in coordination with the left shoulder.

No such reciprocatory movement is required or provided for the pair of cushions 54 intended to support the legs. Each of these cushions is supported upon a suitable frame 51, preferably formed from angle iron or the like, pivotally supported upon arcuate brackets 6| attached to the lower frame (0 on the end thereof remote from the control block mechanism. Preferably the frames 57 are. provided with opposed brace 62, the lower extremities of 7 these braces being adjustable within a notched rack or the like 63 to permit change in angularity of the leg cushions or the dropping thereof, out of the way when not in use.

Exercise means for the legs is provided, a preferred form thereof comprising an upright tubular member 4 64 mounted between the cushions 54 and provided with a cap portion 65 within which is journaled suitable crank arm 66 having foot-engaging pedal portions 67. The intermediate portion of the crank arms, which passes through the cap portion 65, is encircled by a suitable strap or the like (not shown) and means, such as a hand-wheel 68, is provided whereby the tension exerted by this strap may be varied. The lower extremity of the tubular member 64 i pivotally supported, as by a pin and slot or other suitable connection, upon an arm 69 having pivotal connection with a bracket HI depending beneath the frame 51. Thus, the distance between the pedals 61 and the cushions 53'may be readily varied, in strict accordance'with the length of the legs of the person using the device or for moving the tubular member downwardly, when the use thereof is not desired. "Preferably an automatic timing device H is provided to permit the operation of the device for a predetermined period of time, as is well known in this and related arts.

. The operation of the device is particularly simple. .The individual undergoing treatment reclines upon the tablew'iththe back and shoulders supported upon the cushions 52 and the'hipssupported upon"the cushions 53, the calves of the legs being supported upon the cushions 54, these and not associated with or controlled by the mechanism of the table. The pairs of cushions 52 and 53'may be designated forv purposes of convenience as left and right-hand cushions, there being four cushions in all with individual associated control mechanism for each cushion, which thus becomes a'body-treating member.

Reciprocatory' motion may, if desired, be imparted to all four cushions simultaneously or motion may be selectively imparted to one or more of the cushions as the nature of the desiredtreatment may require. For example, the back and shoulders may be permitted .to remain at rest upon the cushions 52 while motion is imparted through the cushions 53 to the hips or thighs only, resulting in pelvic or localized body treatment of a specific character. When necessary, such massage or treatment may be imparted to one hip or thigh only, the other cushion being adjusted through its associated control mechanism so as to remain at rest.

In like manner, treatment may be administered to one shoulder and side of the back, or to both shoulders, as may be necessary, the movement of each body member being selectively controllable. It will be obvious that the greater the distance the adjusting or control blocks 40' are moved from neutral, the greater the degree of movement which will be imparted to the associated bodytreating member. Similarly, with the control block 40 in position immediately adjacent neutral, a very gentle degree of motion will be imparted to the body-treating member.

Since each control lever has an adjustment on either side of a central neutral position, the cushions of a pair of body-treating member may be caused to move either in opposition or in unison with respect to each other. For appropriate pelvic treatment, movement in opposition is desirable. For a simple hip massage, the patient reclines upon his side substantially centrally of the pairs of cushions, periodically reversing positions, and the cushions 53 are reciprocated in unison. Where necessary, suitable weights, such as sand bags or the like, may be placed over the abdominal area or hips.

The leg-exercising device, or pedal pusher, requires active participation by the patient who may recline upon the cushions 52 and 53 and push the pedals with the feet.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the present invention includes a machine of unitary construction which may be readily moved about from place to place and which is provided with body-treating cushions or members for selectively, variably, and independently treating the left and right shoulder portions of the back, the hips, and the legs, in accordance with requirements and as may be'desired.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanical massage table, a frame, two

. pairs :of=i bo'dy-treating members comprising two shoulderand back-treating members and two -hip-tr'eating members movably mounted on said frame, a motor on said frame, an oscillatable yoke on said framegan eccentrically driven connection betweensaid motor and said yoke, a

plurality of guide rods on said yoke, a control block slidably adjustable on eachguide rod from a: position above to a position below the axis of oscillation of said yoke, a bridle pivotally connected to each controlblock, aconnecting rod secured-at oneextremity to each bridle, the opposite-extremity of each connecting rod being yieldably secured to an associated body-treating memben'and a control lever on each bridle for independently Varying the adjustment of each control? block to selectively control the degree :ofmovement imparted to the associated bodye'treating member. whereby each member of a pair of: body-treating members may selectively move in unison or in opposition to the other member "of i said pair.

2.. In a mechanical massage table, a frame, two pairs of body-treating members movably mount- -ed on said frame, said body-treating members comprising two shoulderand back-treating members and two hip-treating members, a motor on said frame, an oscillatable yoke on said frame, an eccentrically driven connection between said motor and said yoke to produce oscillation thereof, a plurality of guide rods on said yoke, a control block slidably adjustable on each guide rod from a position above to a position below the axis of oscillation of said yoke, a bridle pivotally connected to each control block, a connecting rod secured at one extremity to each bridle and having its opposite extremity yieldably secured to an associated body-treating member, and means for independently varying the adjustment ofeach control block to selectively control the degree of movement imparted to the associated body-treating member whereby each member of a pair of body-treating members may selectively move in unison or in opposition to the other member of said pair.

3. In a mechanical massage table, a frame, two pairs of body-treating members movably mounted on said frame,said body-treating members including two shoulderand back-treating members and two hip-treating members, a motor on said frame, an oscillatable yoke on said frame, an eccentrically driven connection between said motor and said yoke to produce oscillation thereof, a plurality of guide rods on said yoke,

a control block slidably adjustable on each guide rod from a position above to a position below the axis of oscillation of said yoke, a connecting rod having one extremity pivotally connected to each control block and having its opposite extremity yieldably connected to an associated body-treating member, and means for independently varying the adjustment of each control block to selectively control the degree of movement imparted to the associated body-treating member whereby each member of a pair of body-treating members may selectively move in unison or in opposition to the other member of said pair.

4. In a mechanical massage table, a frame, body-treating members movably mounted on said frame, said body-treating members including two shoulderand back-treating members and two hip-treating members, an oscillatable yoke on said frame, means for oscillating said yoke, a plurality of guide rods on said yoke, a control block slidably adjustable on each guide rod from a position above to a position below the axis of oscillation of said yoke, a connecting rod having one extremity pivotally connected to each control block and having its opposite extremity yieldably connected to an associated body-treating member, and means for independently varying the adjustment of each control block to selectively control the degree and direction of movement imparted to the associated body-treating member.

5. In a mechanical massage table, a frame, body-treating members movably mounted on said frame, said body-treating members comprising two shoulderand back-treating members and two hip-treating members, an oscillatable yoke on said frame, means for oscillating said yoke, a plurality of guide rods on said yoke, a control block slidably adjustable on each guide rod from a position above to a position below the axis of oscillation of said yoke, a connecting rod having one extremity secured to each control block and having its opposite extremity secured to an associated body-treating member for imparting movement thereto, and means for independently varying the adjustment of each control block to selectively control the degree and direction of movement imparted to the associ- ,for selectively imparting movement to each of said body-treating members, and means for independently varying the degree and direction of movement of each body-treating member whereby each member of a pair of body-treating members may selectively move in unison or in opposition to the other member of said pair.

KATHLEEN TAMMEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS I Date Number Name 1,602,196 Iverson et a1. Oct. 5, 1926 1,984,397 Dalyze Dec. 18, 1934 1,999,412 Hardy Apr. 30, 1935 2,104,745 Howell et al Jan. 11, 1938 

